Jefferson Fox Hunters - Techniques

Driving:
Our primary and most successful method of hunting is driving.  We discovered this as a very successful tactic back in 2001 while driving for deer in the late season.  We were driving out just as many foxes, if not more, as we were deer.  It undoubtedly was going to work for some fantastic fox hunting action.  The only hunting tactic JFH used was predator calling prior to our fox drives.  You can check out our predator calling techniques in the second section of this page. 

JFH drives are very basic and methodical.   Step 1 is to survey the woodlot or brush field intended for the drive and then come up with a strategic game plan that includes where to place your standers and which way to drive the piece.  A USGS Topographical map works great for planning a drive.  The next step is to place standers accordingly.  Try to do this without spooking the foxes.  Once the standers are in place, the drivers can begin.  Our drivers make as much noise as possible in attempt to direct the game toward the standers.  With some good shooters, a successful hunt is in the makings.  We have recorded 123 kills with this method of hunting since the 2001 season.  It remains our most dynamic and successful tactic for fox hunting.

Calling:
Our second method of hunting requires more stealth and skill.  This would be the use of predator calls.  Scent, location, wind, calling sequences, movement, and camouflage all play critical parts in being successful with a predator call. 

The following gives a brief description of a basic setup for predator calling:

Most of the JFH predator calling is done at night using a battery operated spot light with a red lens or amber lens.  These colored lenses will help keep the light from burning the foxes eyes when you scan for them.  A quick scan with the light every few minutes between calling sequences is all you need to locate these predators at night.  Be sure to keep their eyes in the rim of your light and not directly on their eyes.  This could result in a "burn", causing the fox to hang up or spook.  Keep your calling sequences brief but realistic.  Do not call too much but, at the same time, do not call too little.  We prefer 2-man teams when calling; one man with a shotgun for close range and the other with a rifle for long range.  Make sure the man with the rifle holds the light in case one happens to slip in on the setup.  He can then hit the light, allowing the shot-gunner to make the shot.  The hunter with the shotgun must be ready to shoot at all times.  Predators are very weary and will be on top of the setup in no time.  If one happens to hang up at a longer distance, the hunter with the shotgun can take the light from the rifleman so he can make the shot.

The details of this technique cannot be explained in so many words.  However, it can most effectively be learned by hands on experience.  Time in the field is a must for learning to hunt predators.  Every predator will approach differently.  Each hunter has their own beliefs and tactics that they use when it comes down to luring in a predator with a call.  Since 1999, when JFH was established, we have recorded 69 kills by means of predator calling.

Other:
Our third method of predator hunting is described by JFH as "other".  "Other" kills are kills that JFH has recorded while hunting some other sort of game during the predator season.  For example, in 2006-2007, 2 kills came by way of archery while our members were deer hunting from tree stands.  JFH has recorded 32 "other" kills since 1999.

Weapons:
Our weapons selection consists primarily of rifles and shotguns; rifles, of course, for longer range shooting and shotguns for the close encounters and dense cover areas. 

Our rifle kills range from the .30-06 all the way down to the .17 rimfire. 

JFH has recorded kills with each of the following rifles:
.30-06, 6mm, .243, .223, .22-250, .222, .204, .22 Hornet, .22 Mag, .22 Rimfire, .17 Rimfire. 

JFH prefers a small caliber center fire rifle with plenty of range.  The recently released .204 is the perfect predator hunting rifle.

Our shotgun kill range includes 10 gauge, 12 gauge, 16 gauge, and 20 gauge.  JFH prefers 10 or 12 gauge chambered with 3.5" load and a full or turkey choke.  We recommend a minimum of #4 or #5 shot.

JFH has also recorded some archery kills as well as a few kills with .50 and .54 caliber muzzleloaders.  There has even been 2 road kills logged. :)

For PA Seasons and Bag Limits, visit the PA Game Commission Web Site. 

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You can view the JFH hunting results for each season on the Hunting Logs page.  You can also view individual member and location statistics on the Stats page.

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